If
you have time when you visit the Interpretive Center, please
take the opportunity to walk around the Butterfly Garden
established through a generous grant from the Boand Family
Foundation.
This
landscaped bluff area has been planted with a wide variety of
native plants that are known to attract butterflies, primarily
by providing the food eaten by the caterpillar. Some
butterflies, such as the Painted Lady (Cynthia cardui)
and the Common Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), utilize
larval foodplants from several plant families. Others
typically have specific plant species on which they lay eggs.
For example, the Bernardino Blue (Shijimiaeoides battoides
bernardino) lays its eggs on flower heads of Wild
Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum).
The best time to see butterflies is spring/summer, though some
may be seen year-round, particularly if the weather is mild.
Botanical markers are placed along the edges
of the paths identifying plants, and check lists of butterfly
species that might be seen in the garden are available for
use.
Here are some links to more information on
butterflies:
